Thread: Hare and Forbes Sale

Always get the biggest you can afford for sure, you'll never regret having that bit extra....but 10mm cuts ate the preserve of commercial work.
A metre is a nice bed length. 1.2 is really sweet.
Go for the absolute biggest spindle bore you can possibly get....the most useful dimension of all!

There seems to be some mix-up of realistic expectations and what is actually offered. To get >1m centres and >200mm centre height seems to mean minimum of 3 phase 415Vac and >$10k. (Just restricting my research to the Hare & Forbes catalogue). Seems to be getting out of the "automotive hobbyist" or "modelling" realm and into the light industrial realm. A single phase 250Vac lathe would surely be one the first considerations for the average home hobbyist. That means biggest option is 51mm SB, 178mm CH and 1000mm centres and that comes in on special at $5.5k - out of my league.

My potential first project would be a 130mm tube of 18mm OD stepping down to 9mm OD for the last 10mm each end with a 5mm ID hole through each end. Easily within the capabilities of the AL-320G. $50 for the materials to make 6 units (including some flat steel plate for the bases and a few welding rods) to save myself $300 in buying them. That's $250 towards the $2.5k justification - well into the "hobbyist/modeller" realm. (Could probably sell a few to mates too).

But now I'm thinking maybe people are right and I'd regret getting something too small ... so will probably end up with nothing - certainly at this stage as the sale is finished and I got too confused to make a decision. So no lathe for me for now and I'm shopping on eBay for the 6 items I need, thus reducing the justification in the future. Ah well.

Worst thing is I avoided going to Hare & Forbes, and the temptation to make a spur of the moment decision, so missed several other items that were on special that I do need.

I hear that they will be having another sale in November.

Cheers, Mick.

JayBoRover, my own experience is from the hobby side of things, and I don't qualify as even a machinist's toenail, but here's my situation/thoughts..

25 years ago I was given an ex-TAFE 9" Hercus, spindle bore is only about 25mm. Had screwcutting capability and was a bit tired - but the price was right.

Its done a lot of jobs over the years that I simply couldn't have done without it. Something that would do heavier cuts, occasionally swing larger stock etc would have been nice, but for the amount that I use it its been more useful than not.

A couple of weeks ago I had to clean up a brand new swivel bush for the county (internal diam was too small when manufactured), yesterday I took a few mm off an alternator pulley.
Without a lathe it would have been a case of returning parts, leaning on a mate for favours or paying someone to do those jobs - along with the hours/days of stuffing around that goes with it.

The largest piece I've ever swung would be around 150mm, and while at times it would be nice to poke a piece of 50mm bar through the spindle I'm not generally doing long lengths so its not a show stopper - just cut your stock to a more suitable size and chuck it.

IMO, almost any lathe is better than no lathe, so buy as big as you can afford and enjoy it.
Lathes aren't like children or wives. Its not a lifetime decision and if you find you're wanting something better you can easily sell and upgrade. Single phase lathes always seem to hold their price so you're unlikely to suffer much financially if you do.

Steve